According to the draw, Viet Nam are in Group E alongside Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the winner of the play-off between Lebanon and Yemen. This is considered a challenging group for head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players, as both Republic of Korea and UAE are among Asia’s leading teams.
Despite facing strong opponents, the group also offers Viet Nam an opportunity to continue affirming their quality and resilience on the continental stage.
Speaking after the draw, head coach Kim Sang Sik said it was a difficult group, but Viet Nam could still aim to compete if they prepared well.
“Although Republic of Korea and UAE are both strong teams, overall, I think this is a fairly good draw for Viet Nam. Although I have Korean blood, in my role as head coach of the Viet Nam national team, I highly appreciate the preparation and spirit of the players,” Kim Sang Sik shared.
Under the format of the 2027 Asian Cup, the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16. This gives Viet Nam a basis to target a place in the next round.
The 2027 Asian Cup Finals will take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia. This will be the sixth time in history that Viet Nam have appeared at Asia’s premier football tournament.
